Fixing Golfer’s Elbow the Right Way — Lewis Physical Therapy & Sports Rehab

Why Golfer’s Elbow Keeps Coming Back (And What to Do Instead)

What You’ll Learn in This Blog

• Why stretching often makes golfer’s elbow worse

• Why isometrics should be your first step

• When to introduce eccentric loading safely

• Why treating the shoulder and scap is essential

• How to build tendon capacity so you can return to gripping and lifting pain-free

🎥 Watch the Full Golfer’s Elbow Breakdown on YouTube

Don’t miss the full explanation of why golfer’s elbow keeps coming back — and how to fix it using the right loading strategy.
▶️ Watch Now on YouTube:

What Is Golfer’s Elbow?

Golfer’s elbow — or medial epicondylitis — is irritation of the common flexor tendon on the inside of the elbow. Even though the name suggests it affects only golfers, it’s just as common in CrossFit athletes, barbell athletes, lifters, and baseball players.

Any activity that involves gripping, pulling, or wrist flexion can overload the flexor tendon. Over time, this creates pain, stiffness, and a loss of strength, especially during pull-ups, barbell cycling, hangs, swings, or throwing.

Why Golfer’s Elbow Happens

Golfer’s elbow is usually caused by a combination of:

• Repetitive gripping under fatigue

• Poor tendon load tolerance

• Weakness in the forearm flexor-pronator group

• Shoulder, cuff, or scapular deficits that overload the elbow

• Inadequate recovery between training sessions

When the flexor tendon isn’t prepared for the amount of load placed on it, the tissue becomes irritated. This irritation won’t improve with rest alone — tendons need progressive loading to heal.

The Most Common Mistakes Athletes Make

Despite being common, golfer’s elbow is often mismanaged. The top mistakes we see in the clinic include:

1. Stretching the Forearm Too Early

Although the forearm may feel tight, stretching places tensile load across an irritated tendon, often making symptoms worse.

2. Starting Eccentric Exercises Too Soon

Eccentrics are useful later in rehab, but they put too much stress on the tendon in the early phase.

3. Only Treating the Elbow and Ignoring the Shoulder/Scap

Many athletes with golfer’s elbow have underlying shoulder or scapular weaknesses. If these areas aren’t addressed, the elbow will continue to compensate — and symptoms will return.

How We Actually Treat Golfer’s Elbow

Our approach focuses on building tendon capacity the right way — without flare-ups or setbacks.

Start With Long-Duration Isometrics (3-4 Sets x 30-45")

This reduces pain, restores load tolerance, and improves tendon stiffness.
Pain is allowed — but must stay under a 3–4/10 threshold.

Progress to Eccentrics and Concentric Strengthening

Once isometrics are tolerated at lower and submax intensities, we introduce controlled eccentrics, then full-range strengthening.

Address the Entire Chain: Shoulder, Cuff & Scapular Strength

Fixing the elbow alone is not enough. Improving upper-chain stability reduces the stress placed on the forearm during gripping, pulling, and overhead movements.

Rebuild Grip & Forearm Capacity

Finally, we reintroduce gripping and barbell work gradually to match the demands of your sport or training.

When You Can Return to Training

Return is based on:

• Pain staying below a 3–4/10 during isometrics

• Tolerance to gradual eccentric loading

• Ability to grip, pull, and lift without next-day flare-ups

• Good shoulder and scapular stability

Most athletes begin returning to modified training early, with full return once the tendon has regained adequate load capacity.

🎙 Listen to This Episode on The Lewis Physical Therapy & Sports Rehab Podcast

Catch the full breakdown of how to actually fix golfer’s elbow — why isometrics work, how to dose them, and the most common mistakes athletes make in rehab.

🎧 Listen on Spotify:
https://open.spotify.com/show/4A6iBs0CzkAwSu9rUVPfGX?si=lrea2AaWQSy5USIT90KXhQ

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